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THE 



GARDEN GATE, 



AND 



OTHER POEMS, 



By CHARLES WILLIAM BUTLER. 



BOSTON: 
HENRY L. SHEPARD, & CO. 

(Successors to Shepard & Gill.) 

1874. 






«'-,&» 



Entered according to act of Congrcs, in the year 1S74, by 

Samuel B. Howard, 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



Samuel B. Howard, printer, 
50 Bromfield St., Room 15. 



Electrotyped by the 
Bay state Electrotype Co., 

15 Cornhiill, Bqston. 



in ex4h^!*« 



NOV 2 5 WW 



TO HIS FRIEND AND FORMER. PASTOR, 

the Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, D. D., 

THIS LITTLE VOLUME, BY PERMISSION, IS MOST 

GRATEFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY iNSCRIDED 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 

These fragments of poetry have mostly been 
published, from time to time, in public Journals of 
high moral, religious and literary standing, in this 
country and abroad. The author trusts that they 
will be acceptable in this gathered form, to his 
Subscribers and others. C. TV. E. 



CONTENTS 



On the Garden Gate, 


9 


The Singers, .... 


11 


The Wandering Stars, 


14 


Thomas Starr King, 


. 13 


Odr History, .... 


18 


Beethoven, .... 


. 16 


A Thought in Sorrow, 


20 


At Rest, .... 


. 21 


The Ocean and Land Telegraph, 


23 


Christmas Bells, 


27 


No Song for War, 


25 


The Toilers, . . . . 


. 28 


Bishop Randall, .... 


32 


Hymn to the Conquerer 


- 33 


Beautiful Days, 


3+ 


A New Year's Hymn, . . 


36 


Deep and Still, 


38 


Festive Days, .... 


40 


Mrs. L. K. Sigourney, 


42 


Washington's Birthday, 


44 


The Fajtiifull Dead, 


. 46 


Charles Sumner, .... 


49 


Angels Guard The Sainted Dead, 


. 50 


A Hymn of Life, .... 


52 


Age of Singing, . 


54 


Faithful Homes, .... 


56 



IV. 



CONTENTS 



A SCTMMEIt SONG, 

Ezra Stiles Gannett, D. D. 

Our Friend Fourscore, 

Edward X. Kirk, I). 1). 

Tin: Sleep ok His Beloved, 

They are With Us, 

Benjamin Tyler Reed, 

Departed Years, 

The Present and the Past, 

Baron Stow, 

The Tides of Life, 

Grant Us Thy Peace, 

Our Perfect Days, 

Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis, 

The World Above Us, 

Thomas Buefincii, 

A Summer's Rhyme, . 

Among The Roses, 

Voices of the Days, 

We May not Tell, 

Thanksgiving Hymn, 

The Soldier's Last Message, 

The Conquerer of All, 

Lighten On; Darkness, . 

Beauty of the Psalms, 

A Golden Truth, 

Birthday Poems, 

The Peace of God, 

Christmas Bells, 

Empires, 

Loving and Knowing, 

Paster Hymn, 

Easter Morning, 

The Church of God, 

At the Parting of the Ways, 



58 

61 

G2 

65 

66 

68 

69 

70 

72 

74 

76 

78 

80 

81 

82 

84 

86 

88 

89 

92 

94 

96 

98 

100 

102 

105 

106 

111 

112 

114 

116 

118 

120 

122 

125 



CONTENTS. 



The Forest Wanderer, 

Father of All who Love thy Name 

My Native Land, 

In The Morning, 

The Dying Year, 

A World's Invocation, 

The Gifts of the Earth, 

Beauty in Decay, 

A Voice to the Singers, 

Life-time's Dream, 

The City of the Soul, 

The Power of Deeds, 

The Seasons, 

Fannv Fern, 

Bishop Eastburn, 

To A Singer, 



. 


128 


hy Name, 


130 


. 


132 




134 


, 


136 




138 




140 




142 




144 




148 


. 


146 




151 


. 


152 




153 


. 


154 




156 



POEMS. 



ON THE GARDEN GATE. 

The little boy on the garden gate 

Sings and swings. 
He dreameth not of the march of fate, 
How the hours will glide, and the heart must wait 

For the prize to which it clings. 
He thinketh now that his boyhood time 
Will ripen soon into manhood's prime, 
And honor, and riches, and great renown 
May send his name to the ages down. 
He gazeth\outh and he gazeth north, 
He swingeth back and he swingeth forth, 
And his heart beats high, as the heart of kings, 
For his soul is poised on the future's wings. 

The little boy on the garden gate 

Swings and sings. 
He loitereth there till the hour is late, 



10 THE GARDEN GATE 

And his heart grows large with a joy innate, 

At life's upwclling springs. 
For the gladdening present, the nights and clays 
Are the stars that guide into happy ways. 
He thinks of the flowers and the streams -that rise 
Under his feet 'neath the glancing skies. 
lie lookcth east and he lookcth west, 
Till the day has gone to its glorious rest ; 
For his soul is dreaming of beautiful things, 
And his heart beats high as the heart of kings. 

The little boy on the garden gate 

Sings and swings. 
He will stand not long ; he will cease to wait, 
On the outward march of an inward fate, 

Or wild imaizinin^s. 
He may rise into manhood's lofty pride, 
And virtue and beauty his course may guide ; 
He may stand as a rock, on the Common mart, 
lie may win his way to the world's great heart ; 
He may win his honors and wear his crown, 
And the false and the base at his feet lie down. 
That is the boy who swings and sings, 
On the garden gate, that sings and swings ; 
He may stand one day with the best of kings. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 11 



THE SINGERS. 

When I hear some stirring lyric, 

Sung by one whose heart is true, 
How the deep full soul of music 

Thrills me through and. through! 
How I bless the mental master 

For his working nobly wrought, 
For the rich, unfathomed treasure 

Of his mine of thought ! 

Then I know that life hath glory 

Higher than these earthly skies, 
That its still, unspoken story, 

Ends in paradise ! 
Then I know that frail and mortal, 

Are not written on the heart — 
Life divine and love eternal 

Are its better part. 

Theirs may be the anthem lofty, 
'Neath the Church's arched dome, 

Or the humbler song most tuneful, 
Of the halls of home. 



12 THE GARDEN GATE 

All the voices of the singers 
Fill me with a thrill of joy — 

They are kin unto the angels 
In their blest employ ! 

Theirs may be the solemn dirge-notes, 

Breathed where willows wave, 
Sung by Hope and Trust, the guardians 

Of an open grave ! 
Passing sweet above all others 

In the free air, 'neath the skies, 
Is the hope-song for our brothers 

That the dead shall rise. 

Sing forever, oh, ye singers, 

Earth hath need of all your songs ; 
Of the joy-crowned and the grieved ones, 

Earth hath countless throngs ! 
Hearts are waiting on your footsteps, 

On your voices' sound — 
For the life of souls is deepened, 

Where your songs abound ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 18 



THOMAS STARR KING. 

There is a world of light and fadeless glory, 

Where love is endless and where souls are crowned, 

Where hearts are true, and beauteous is their story, — 
And such a realm our friend beloved has found ! 

There, is the Master whom his soul adored, 
There, is the Father unto whom he prayed ; 

There, is the rest for which his heart implored, 
There, is the laborer and the laborer's shade! 

His work is there, the higher ministration — 
The worlds are open to his spirit now ; 

And Christ's own hands are laid in confirmation, — 
The dews immortal lie upon his brow ! 

Call him not dead ! He still is ours forever, 
He stancleth yet upon God's holy hill, — 

May we with him, When earthly ties shall sever, 
Pass to the life immortal, calm and still. 



14 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE WANDERING STARS. 

The wandering stars arc hastening back — 

Lo ! one by one they come ; 
See ! glory's in their shining track, 

Now shout them welcome home ! 
They've wandered long, in darkness lost, 

Bedewed with fiery rains ; 
Give welcomes to our tempest tost, 

On our celestial plains ! 



The wandering stars are hastening back ; 

They tire of restless change, 
They seek a smooth and even track, 

Their new one was so strange. 
Give welcome with a right good will, 

To all who cease to roam ; 
The Northern stars are brothers still, 

To those who long for home ! 

The wandering stars are hastening back, 
The old, bright love they see — 

The household fires, the beaten track, 
The same ancestral tree. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 15 

The same undying, songful streams. 

The same glad flowers appear, 
The same blue sky, the starry gleams, 

The same revolving year. 

Then welcome to these wandering stars 

Who seek out pathways old ; 
Who scorn the flag of sable bars 

With scorn most manifold ! 
" No North — nor South — nor East — nor West," 

Shall 'be our rallying tone ! 
" One land, one realm by freedom blest, 

Where God will keep His own I" 



16 THE GARDEN GATE 



BEETHOEVEN. 

Tried, forsaken, lone Beethoeven, 
Now the world thy worth hath proven, 

All the world can speak thy praise ; 
In the hlush of life's bright morning, 
Lo ! she turned away in scorning, 

Now she listens to thy lays. 

Thou didst sing like one in glory, 
Yet how shadowed is thy story 

To the dark and bitter end ; 
"When the hour of parting neared thee, 
Few the living hearts that cheered thee, 

Few who knew thee as their friend. 

Still thy wondrous powers were glowing, 
"Working for the world unknowing, 

Thankless as her voices came ; 
Mighty genius could not slumber, 
Though a world-host without number 

Sought to quench the burning flame. 

Oh, how dreary was thy going 
Through the tides of death o'erflowing, 
To thy glad home in the skies, 



AND OTHER POEMS. 17 

Only one friend by that river 
Where we mortals stand and shiver, 
Though it lead to paradise ! 

And thy voice of earnest speaking, 
And thine eye a true friend seeking, 

Now in vision on us call ; 
When thy lips breathed very slowly 
With a spirit meek and holy — 

"I have talent, after all." 

Oh, beloved and grand Beethoeven, 
In the fires of trial proven, 

Time has made thy darkness day ; 
In the melodies of singing, 
Music from thy soul is ringing, 

That shall never pass away. 

Surely thou hast found thy station, 
From thy wrongs hast found salvation, 

Reached the gates of peace sublime ; 
Oh, that earth would heed thy story, 
Give her sons of genius glory, 

While they shine lone stars of time. 



L8 THE GARDEN GATE 



OUR HISTORY. 



The nation trembles in God's hand, 

He bids it fall, he bids it stand, 

Both peace and strife work His command. 

He weaves the patriot's funeral pall, 
He crowns the heroes when they fall, 
He is the Guide, the Lord of all. 

He searches out the deepest night, 
The deed of darkness brings to light, 
Arid moulds it by His Sovereign might ! 

He sees oppression's deed of wrong, 
And hears the proud exultant song, 
He will not make it sure nor strong. 

Where'er the thought of wrong is nurst, 
His unseen hand strikes down at first, 
The evil is by Him accurst. 

He keeps the firm, the true, the brave, 
He gives them victory o'er the grave ; 
He smites the fetters from the slave. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 19 

He holds the tyrant's heart in scorn ; 
Unless it yields, and is new-born, 
He leaves it helpless and forlorn. 

He loveth freedom ; let him take 
Our dearest, for his own dear sake. 
He owns the sacrifice we make ! 

We kneel in our Gethsemane 

And say : Let this cup pass from me ; 

His strengthening Angel there we see. 

Yet by this struggle and this pain, 
These hosts that meet ours with disdain, 
A nation shall be born again ! 

Our sainted heroes robed in light 

Shall guard our path, though from our sight, 

The day seems glooming into night. 

Their eyes shall watch us till we bring 
To our eternal God and King, 
Our freedom's holy offering ! 



20 THE GARDEN GATE 



A THOUGHT IN SORROW. 

Weep not — the hopes which seem to die, 
Are but the seeds of fadeless flowers, 

That ripen in a brighter sky 

Than in these darkened skies of ours. 

Weep not — the world with all its change 
Will give us yet some boon to prize, 

And lights which now to us are strange, 
Will beam with gladness on our eyes. 

Hope — Faith — and Love — our vigils still, 
While Joy or Grief around us stand ; 

We bow unto their sovereign will, 
And ever seek the better land. 

We seek a res,t we have not known, 
We toil we pray — and then we wait, 

Till some good angel from His throne 

Stoops down, and leads us through the gate. 



AND OTHER" POEMS. 21 



AT REST. 

They are at rest, who dreamless sleep 

The countless years away ; 
They toil no more, they sigh nor weep, 

Nor see their hopes decay. 

They are at rest, whose light of life 
Streams through celestial skies ; 

They hear no voice of angry strife, 
But love's grand chorus rise. 

Nor storm nor tempest shall be known, 
Nor clouds obscure their sky ; 

They lose no treasures once their own, 
And they shall never die. 

They are at rest who dreamless sleep, 

And yet they seem to rise 
Like angel guards, their watch to keep, 

Where our life's pathway lies. 



22 THE GARDEN GATE 

We need them all ; for they are ours, 
Though they above us shine, 

And daily use their unseen powers, 
Our ministers divine. 

Our souls are linked by golden chains ; 

Our hearts are true e'ermore, 
Our father's house hath large domains, 

Behold the open door ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 23 



THE OCEAN AND LAND TELEGRAPH. 

the glory of to-clay ! — 
That will shine in Time alway ; 
Power of deed, and bliss of thought, 
By the human soul enwrought. 

"Words above us sounded be, 
Words beneath us in the sea, 
And the isles their beauty draw 
From one great, mysterious law. 

Daily more and more unfold, 
Gates of glory, gates of gold ! 
Daily, heights and depths are known, 
Once Ave durst not call our own. 

Thought is boundless, thought is free, 
Under and above the sea ! 
Sounding deep in ocean caves, 
Surging in unnumbered waves. 

Thought is whispered round the earth, 
In her day of second birth — 



24 THE GARDEN GATE 

Coming nearer to the goal, 

In the grand world of the soul. 

0, ye Ages, bring your toil, 
Bring your triumphs, bring your spoil, 
Bring your trophies new and vast ; 
Bless your present and your past. 

Bless the thinkers, on your way, 
Who have wrought this triumph day ; 
Who have turned their thought to deed, 
Answered well our day's true need. 

Though the thinkers long may stand, 
On some far unwelcome strand, 
Longing for their beings prime, 
They shall see their promised time. 

Speak, voice of Love and Peace, 
Bid the trump of war to cease — 
For its muffled tone-beat, bring 
Hearts that throb and hearts that sing. 

Speak, Land, and chant, Sea, 
Our sweet anthem of the free ! 
Tower of deed and bliss of thought, 
In this work that man hath wrought. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 25 



NO SONG FOR WAR. 

No more, no more, a song for war ; 

The land hath known her share of strife ; 
What do we hate each other for ? 

Why desolate the field of life ? 
Why seek by blood that quick release 
Which cometh through the gate of Peace ? 
Oh ! shame on those who fain would gain 
One seeming good by War's dread reign. 

What wrong is suffered but hath known 

One hour its selfhood to dethrone ? 
Some moment ever lives, when we 

May bid the great wrong cease to be ; 
And by the fitting course of things, 
The right and true triumphant springs. 
Oh ! shame on those who fain would gain 
One seeming good by War's dread reign. 



26 THE GARDEN GATE 

The North, the South, the East, the West, 

By mutual ties are blent and blest ; 
And all in every pain must share — 

In every joy, or grief, or care ; 
Whate'er the wrong, all bear a part, 
For one is our great Nation's heart. 
Oh ! shame on those who fain would gain 
One seeming good by War's dread reign. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 27 



CHRISTMAS BELLS. 

Ring out, ye bells, from all your towers, 
And chime for time's receding hours. 
,r Tis holy time ! — the Bethlehem star 
Is radient now, anear and far — 
The hallowed joy around is shed, 
Where angel hosts are earthward led'! 
A song of Peace — to men good will, 
And then that heavenly choir is still. 
Ring out, ring in, Christmas bells, 
The day which God's true Prophet tells ; 
Bring here, pilgrim, tried by time, 
A life most holy and sublime. 
For this Judean deserts sang, 
For this the choral anthem rang, 
And all the ages take their song 
And bear its blessed notes along ; 
And yet 'twill bear, while time shall be, 
The deathless anthem of the free ! 
For Earth's full heart with rapture swells, 
To hear the chimes of Christmas bells ! 



THE GARDEN GATE 



THE POETS. 

They wait, the patient toilers wait, — 

The toilers of the mind ; 
.They stand at Fame's beleaguered gate 

Till Fame to them is kind. 

But who are these who toil on earth ? 

Who send their thoughts abroad ? 
Who prove their own celestial birth 

A heritage from God ? 

Dwell they in lordly palace hall, 

In regal pomp and pride ? 
Hear they the spirit's inmost call, 

Where thought is deified ? 

Not there ; the mountains have no place 
Nor outward throne for them. 

The valley's shade, the spirit's grace, 
Their shield and diadem ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 29 

They walk through earth with want and pain, 

Companions all the way, 
The inward kingdom is their gain, 

The inward light, their day ! 

They see the mean in places high ; 

They see the high brought low ; 
How wealth and rank and power may vie 

With mind's far richer glow. 

They toil, they wait, — in sorrow wait ; 

They hear no answering cry ; 
They famish close by Plenty's gate ; 

They struggle and they die ! 

Then from the earth, once stern and cold, 
There comes one voice of praise, 

The poet's verse is new, not old ; 
It fills immortal days. 

Euwreathe his grave with fairest flowers ; 

There let the marble gleam ; 
Tell Art and Time with all your powers 

The beauty of his dream ! 



30 THE GARDEN GATE 

There read the song that once was dark 

With night of human ill, 
Which knew no shining eye to mark 

The place his name should fill ! 

Wake by the lofty singer's grave 
New thought, for genius born, 

And call that spirit true and brave ; 
It braved the world's rude scorn ! 

And as the poet's hymn shall rise 
Within your bright abode, 

Think of the black, ungenial skies 
That marked that singer's road ! 

He stood on mental heights for you ; 

For you his life-long prayer ; 
Baptized in grief's unwelcome dew, 

He breathed in pensive air. 

He makes you rich in mind to-day ; 

New worlds in beauty spring 
Where erst the old held potent sway, 

Till you can speak and sing. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 31 

Though built on thought, life blent with life ; 

This is the law of heaven ; 
God's prophets come, though days of strife 

Are with their coming given ! 

They speak to us, and we to them ; 

They hear our answering tones, 
Behold the diamond and the gem 

In valleys as on thrones. 

For poets are God's prophets still, 

Whate'er their spirit clime ; 
No outward good can reach their meed, 

Nor life be too sublime ! 



32 THE GARDEN GATE 



BISHOP RANDALL. 

Well may the faithful take their life-won crown, 
And go with joy to hear their Lord's " well done ;" 

Their armor bright, in sacred dust lay down, 
To rest when day is gone. 

When day is gone! Day never wanes for them 
Who view, by faith, the Star of Bethlehem ! 

Our friend was faithful to the glorious end, — 
Let memory now his precious name enshrine. 

To live is blest, when all our heart-aims tend 
To works that are divine ! 

True hearts are His ; his new life-sphere is where 
There is no death nor any shade of care ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. ' 33 



HYMN TO THE CONQUERER. 

Clothed with the light and the grace of a hero, 
Forth goes the brave to the battle of life ; 

He shall be conquerer, though time were a Nero, 
He shall be Master of masterly strife. 

Clothed in the armor that never decay eth, 
Vested with strength enobling — divine, 

Soul,, in life's war-land, the Mighty One stayeth 
Thee, with the glory that ever is thine ! 

Where is the way His light hath not entered ? 

Where is the valley by Him left alone ? 
Where is the teacher whose voice hath not uttered 

The value the True One hath marked on His own? 

Soul of the faithful, doubt not the morrow, 

He who hath blest thee with shade and with san, 

Looks with His eye on the night of thy sorrow, 
Looks on the life-race that grandly is run ! 



34 ' THE GARDEN GATE 



BEAUTIFUL DAYS. 

Beautiful days of the Autumn hours 

Marking the flight of the dying year ; 
Shedding their light on the fading flowers, 

Raying with glory the prone leaves sere. 
Oh ! how they speak with a living voice, 
Bidding the soul in her might rejoice ; 
Gladening the heart in the midst of bloom, 
Fading and shrinking away to the tomb. 

Beautiful days, when the blossoms fall 

Into the dust, in the silence given ; 

Breathing a charm and a hymn for all, 

Who see in her shading some hue of Heaven. 
Then the long past as a vision comes, 
Greeting our hearts and blessing our homes ; 
And the life and the beauty that blesses the eye, 
Speaks of a summer that never shall die. 



AND OTHER POEMS. ' 35 

Beautiful days of the Autumn time, 

Prophets are ye of an hour of bloom ; 
When the life within us shall arise sublime, 

And the song of our freedom shall sound o'er 

our tomb ; 
When the hopes that have perished shall bud in the 

Spring, 
And the faith that we cherished shall gladden her 

wing; 
When the soul shall grow hoary, and peaceful and 

wise, 
And our wonderful being shall soar to the skies. 



36 THE GARDEN GATE 



A NEW YEAR'S HYMN. 

(Sunday, 18G5.) 

Thou by whom the years are born, 

The moments come and go, 
We thank thee for this full-orbed morn, 

Enwreathed with winter's snow ! 

We thank thee for the gliding feet 
That press our household floors, 

And the dear delights we meet 
Within our cottage-doors ! 

We thank thee that this day of rest 
Hath rung the New Year's chime, 

And all the peace that fills our breast 
At this thrice holy time. 

For we have heard the Christmas hymn 

Fall on our listening ear, 
As through the valleys, deep and dim, 

Hath passed the dying year. 



AND OTHER POEMS 37 

We thank thee for the living brave, 

Who faced the nation's foes, 
For all the flowers of love that wave 

Where heroes dead repose ! 

We thank thee for the chimes of peace, 

By faithful patriots rung ; 
Bring near the day of sweet release, 

By thine own angels sung. 

The year is thine, God most high ! 

Thou art its Lord alone ; 
Bid freedom live, oppression die, 

Give Liberty her own ! 



38 THE GARDEN GATE 



DEEP AND STILL. 

Deep and still, deep and still, 
Is the working of God's will, 
When it doth our spirits fill ! 

When His shining countenance, 
Answers to our upward glance, 
How faith's footsteps all advance ! 

Into soundless depths we go, 
From great joy to utter woe ; 
Everywhere Hi3 lifetides flow ! 

Where the paths of glory rise, 
By the life of sacrifice 
We regain our paradise ! 

Now the soul all dark within, 
Leaves its world of strife and sin, 
Heavenward looking, entereth in ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 89 

Now the heart weeps o'er the lost, 
Tried, bereft and tempest tost, 
Till the stormy sea be crossed ! 

Now some memory of the heart, 

Plunges there its barbed dart, 

Till the still voice breathes " depart." 

Then a tranquil holy peace, 
Bids the vengeful tempest cease, 
And the silent calm increase ! 

Not by voice on Sinai spoke, 
Is the spell of sadness broke, 
Nor the spirit's galling yoke ! 

Not by lightning's vivid fire, 
Not by days of judgment dire,* 
Bids he earthliness expire ! 

But the pathways of his grace, 
In the silences, we trace, — 
There we meet him face to face ! 



40 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE FESTIVE DAYS. 

When the festive days are past, 

Memory still will linger there ; 
Thinking of the pleasures vast 

In our life-fields everywhere : 
For we may not live or move, 

But some joy shall yet abound, 
Some dear heart shall call for love, 

Some sweet voice to ours resound ; 
And its echoes, tender, true, 

In our deepest heart shall fall, * 
We shall bless the hour, that knew, 

Hallowed days and gifts for all. 

When the festive days are past, 
Let us gather grains of gold, 

From those mines unfathomed vast, 
Hearts and hands have never told. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 41 

Countless thoughts, outspoken words, 

Hidden in the soul's recess, 
Waiting for new spirit chords 

Yet to answer and to bless. 
Let the brotherhood within 

Manifest its living power ; 
So shall we life's victories win, 

Day by day, and hour by hour. 



42 THE GARDEN GATE 



MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO MRS. L. H. 
SIGOURNEY. 

Blest be our poet's gentle sleep, 
Whose soul is now to glory -born ; 

Whose heart condoled with sorrow deep, 
And sang with joy's celestial morn ; 

Who touched her spirit's lyric chords 

To gentle thoughts and loving words ! 

Her heart inspired by living fire, 
Sang ever to the good and true. 

She glorified each grand desire 
With Heaven's baptismal dew — 

While here and there out-breathes a tone 

A Hemans well might seek to own. 

She stood so meekly in the crowd 

Who gathered where her shadow came, 



AND OTHER POEMS. 43 

So calm and humble, when the proud 
Grew eloquent to speak her fame ! 
She prized far more our heavenly birth, 
Than all the praises of the earth. 

Oh ! matchless gift, to live in hearts, 

To feel that we can never die, 
To know the true life ne'er departs, 

But that the spirit, ever nigh, 
Is hovering in the Heaven above — 
A guardian angel, full of love. 

Then blessed be our poet's sleep ; 

'Tis " Past Meridian " with her now — 
With holy reverance strong and deep, 

Enwreath the cypress round her brow ; 
A Nation's loving heart, in vain 
May seek to find her like again ! 



44 THE GARDEN GATE 



WASHIGTON'S BIRTHDAY. 

His birthday is our Nation's pride ; 

His memory lives while we adore 
The Providence that made him rise 

And shine, our glory-star, forevermore ! 
Let us this day at Freedom's Temple wait 
And linger there, and sacred keep its gate ; 
For he is speaking from his own bright skies, 
To cheer our hearts for this day's sacrifice. 

We live in stirring times — we must not stay 
Where traitors, spelbound, crouch, to wrong ; 

The night has passed — we welcome in the day ; 
We sing no dirge — we chant a triumph song 

Our Washington is here — his spirit still 

Is urging us to do, to dare, to will ; 

Upon our dead a nation's welfare lies, 

If* we are true to this day's sacrifice. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 45 



We live forever ! we shall rise again ; 

The trump of war shall cease and we shall rest, 
In beauty rest in freedom's wide domain ; 

Chains shall be broken, and no heart, unblest, 
Shall touch our hearts with pain — an open way 
To guide our wanderers unto perfect day ; 
Unites our life, our hearts, our aims, in one 
Unfailing tribute to our Washington ! 



46 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE FAITHFUL DEAD. 

" We bless Thee for all thy servants departed in thy faith and 
fear."— Common Prayer. 

For all who died in holy faith, 
The brave, the good, the true ; 

For all their life's full record saith, — 
Give God the glory due ! 

Not pain, nor scorn, nor sordid gold 

Could turn their steps aside ; 
No robber steal them from the Fold, 

Since Christ their Master died. 

They counted not their life-lease dear, 

If they His Crown might win 
Who bore our griefs and burdens here, 

To save the race from sin ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 47 

No monster's rack, no fiery flame, 

No tyrant's fearful frown, 
Could make them curse the Saviour's name, 

Nor lay their armor down ! 

Through perils on the waters deep, 

With brethren false and blind, 
They would not let devotion sleep, 

Nor deem their Lord unkind ! 

Through every scene of stormy rage 

They saw the glory there ! 
And sealed their blood-bought heritage, 

With blessing and with prayer ! 

They closed their eyes in martyr-death, 

And from their ashes rose 
A new and ceaseless living breath, 

That knew no long repose ! 

And thus they live, and brightly gl&w, 

Like flames of fadeless fire ; 
While ages come, and ages go, 

Their lives will not expire. 



48 THE GARDEN GATE 

And now we bless Thee our God ! 

For all who died in Thee ; 
The shining lights they shed abroad, 

On Time's remotest sea ! 

Give us their faith, give us their heart, 
Though dark our earth-ways be ! 

Help us to act our destined part 
To love and work for Thee ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 49 



CHARLES SUMNER. 

Call not this honored man as one 

Dead to the world, for that can never be ; 

Nations will live, and ages still pass on ; 

His name will gleam, as gleams a crystal sea ; 

True to himself, to highest manhood true ; 
Give to him now the meed that is his due. 

Breathe forth his name, when men, too weak in soul, 
Stand not upright. To bid the best cause win, 

Breathe forth his name, and Avrite it on the goal 
That we would reach, above Earth's wrong and sin! 

Then shall his memory be a watchword strong ! 

Then shall his deeds become our triumph song ! 



60 . THE GARDEN GATE 



ANGELS GUARD THE SAINTED DEAD. 

Angels guard the sainted dead, 

Let them rest from toil and care ; 
With the blue sky overhead, 

And the breath of God's free air. 
Let them rest where light and shade, 

And life's changes come and go ; 
They have seen its visions fade, 

They have left its pomp and show. 

Angels guard the sainted dead ! 

Not alone from heavenly skies, 
But the souls they comforted 

In this world of sacrifice. 
Grateful hands plant willows there, 

Buds that springtime gave shall bloom, 
And the summer noontide fair 

Glorifies their peaceful tomb. 

Angels guard the sainted dead ! 
Memory loves to view the spot 



AND OTHER POEMS. 

Where their living presence shed 
Blessings on our earthly lot ; 

Then the graves wherein they rest, 
Shall no more the spirit view ; 

From the mansions of the blest 
Gleam the faces old and true. 

Angels guard the sainted dead ! 

This the voice that sounds for aye, 
When our tears of grief are shed 

O'er earth's loved ones passed away : 
This with time nor change departs ; 

Blest the dying with their Lord, 
Blest are they who leave on hearts 

Love's eternal written word. 

Angels guard the sainted dead ! 

Then the deep Cimerian glooms 
Cannot fill our souls with dread — 

There are watchers round our tombs, 
And they beckon us to come, 

When the chilling death-wind blows ; 
When we make our journey home, 

They will guard our sweet repose. 



52 THE GARDEN GATE 



A HYMN OF LIFE. 

What is grander than the soul, 
Or its ages as they roll ? 
What is like the life of thought ? 
Bid it die and we are nought. 

What is richer than a word 
From a true hearts life-depths stirred ? 
What is sweeter than a song, 
Making spirits free and strong ? 

What is purer than the air 
Giving light to roses fair ? 
Brighter colors every day 
To the blooms that fade away. 

What is better than the hour 
When we know our spirits power ? 
Higher raise our thought and deed 
Looking for our Heavenly meed. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 

What is better ? We have trod 
Pathways to the love of God ! 
Love, that gave their being birth, 
Love, the crown of all the earth. 

He who liveth here in love 
Liveth in the Heaven above ; 
He that loveth not is dead, 
Though his life-spark be not fled ! 



53 



54 THE GARDEN GATE 



AGE OF SINGING. 

Glorious songs the Age is singing, 
Freedom bells their chimes are ringing — 
Ringing for the abject races, 
In oppression's foulest places. 

Man hath learned the hidden meaning 
Of this being and this seeming, 
He hath heard the world's choir singing, 
And the bells of freedom ringing. 

In his soul-recesses lying, 
There is waked a voice undying — 
Lifting hearts whose great endeavor 
Girds the ever and forever ! 

Up through long and tedious marchings, 
With their varient life-sky archings, 
With the destinies impending, 
March, soul, the march unending ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 55 

Skies shall lower, and skies shall brighten, 
Clouds will gloom, and light will lighten, 
Wondrous still thy voiceless story, t 
Through the shadow, to the glory ! 

Ase of real and dire commotion, 
Heaving, surging like an ocean, 
Keep thy hells of Freedom ringing, 
Till the earth is full of singing ! 



56 THE GARDEN GATE 



FAITHFUL HOMES. 

Our earthly homes are full of joy and gladness, 
Our friendships there like burning stars arise, 

And we are one in every hour of sadness ; 
We stand together 'neath the changeful skies ; 

We cannot part, though dark the way around us, 

We're one in heart, for many ties have bound us. 

We stand together when our hearts, adoring, 
Lift up their voices to the Heaven above, 

When at God's throne we cast our eye imploring 
For deeper trust in the immortal love ; 

We cannot part, though clouds may lower above us, 

Heart clings to heart, we know the souls that love us. 

Seas may divirge our paths — yet time nor distance 
Hold not the power to bid our souls estrange ; 



AND OTHER POEMS. 57 

In love's deep strength there is a bold resistance 

To that dread power that bids the true heart change, 
We are the same, our households severing never, 
We link our hearts in one, forever and forever. 

So shall our homes become the blessed portal 
Of those dear mansions, where we long to dwell ; 

Begin we here the life and love immortal, 
Begin we here eternal joys to tell ; 

We cannot part, for earthly storms have tried us, 

We're one in heart, and who shall then divide us ? 



58 THE GARDEN GATE 



A SUMMER SONG. 

The summer flowers must fade and die 
The summer skies must change their hues, 

The streams be closed, that murmur by 
The walks of earth, our footsteps choose. 

Nature is proud of varied things, 
She nurtures all that fills her range, 

She cultures fountains, mountains, springs, 
She courts the wierd, sublime and strange. 

Nature is prodigal of bliss, 

She breathes out fragrance on the air, 
She thrills the human heart, and this 

Seems first her kind maternal care. 

Nature is tender in her moods, 

When soft winds fan the vales below ; 

And tender in the solitudes 

Where souls reflective haste to go. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 59 

The earth is voiceful to the heart 

The while it glows with dewy green ; 

The very dust doth feel its part 
Of honor in the various scene. 

The trees are full of singing birds, 
That hymn aloud creation's praise ; 

The air itself is full of words, 

And songs, and sweet, melodious lays. 

From nature to the soul again, 

Let us in calm reflection go ; 
And feel within the stress and strain 

Of tides that from our being flow. 

There the divine asserts its sway ; 

The low, the base degrades the soul, 
The high, the pure leads on to day, 

Where rivers of redemption roll. 

Go down, man, to self within, 

Behold ! What glorious gifts are thine ! 

What conquests over death and sin ; 
What mansions in the Heart Divine ! 



60 THE GARDEN GATE 

Thy nature gleams and burns with light, 
That soon or late will shine on high, 

Where angel forms are clothed with might, 
And hearts made pure shall never die ! 

that our lives were like the chords 
Of perfect harps, all tuned and strung ! 

Then we should utter perfect words, 
And keep our hearts forever young ! 

For this the sky, the stream, the tree, 
Seem filled with the profoundest praise, 

For this grand nature seems to be 
Our teacher, in her silent ways. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 61 



EZRA STILES GANNETT, D. D. 

Break not the calmness of his sleep, 
Fond memory, stillness is thine own ; 

The guardian angels now shall keep 
God's risen servant at His throne. 

Not yet the grieving hearts should speak, 
Let Time a little longer roll ; 

The powers of thought are far too weak 
To tell his eloquence of soul. 

For time must deepen every thought 
Which bids that loving face to shine, 

And his dear image will be fraught 
With light, and life, and deeds divine. 

The grave is not his fadeless rest, 

He sees the throne where seraphs bow ; 

Immortal voices call him blest, 
Eternal glories crown him now. 



62 THE GARDEN GATE 



OUR FRIEND FOURSCORE. 

When the brow of age is beauteous 
With the light of Virtue's star, 

There is joy and peace eternal, 
There is youth no age can mar. 

Trembling steps and form are then 
Tokens of a home near by ; 

lie shall cross its threshold when 
His appointed days shall fly. 

Fo not call our good friend old, 
Words of joy leap from his tongue ; 

For his life is manifold, 

And the signs that he i3 young. 

He can smile for gladness yet, 
He can speak the mirthful word ; 

And his heart doth not forget 

What his chilhood knew and heard. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 

He can see his boyhood's days, 
He can see the village school ; 

See his groves and childish plays, 
In the forests deep and cool. 

He can see the running streams, 
And the willows bending low ; 

See the mild but radiant beams 
Of the moonlight come and go. 

Thinks he of his chilhood's tears ? 

Of the darkness and tjie light ? 
Thinks he of his vanished years, 

In the visions of the night ? 

Voices of his manhood's prime, 
Chimes of happy marriage bells ; 

Voices of his happiest time, 

Greet him with their sweet farewells. • 

Voices from the homestead ring, 

Where the fires once blazed so bright ; 

Where his household used to sins, 

When the hearthstone glowed with light. 



64 THE GARDEN GATE 

Forms his heart and youth enshrined, 
In their glory now appear ; 

Never lost to heart or mind, 

Are his friendships old and dear. 

He is witness more and more, 
Of our nature's power to hear ; 

Witness, is our friend fourscore, 
Of the joys that lighten care. 

He is more with glory crowned 

Than are kings, with lands and gold ; 

For his youth again is found, 
And he never will grow old ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 65 



EDWARD K KIRK, D. D. 



In heart-love and in holy prayer, 

Where may a soul like his be found ? 

And words like his to soothe our care ? 
To bid us stay on hallowed ground ? 

And faith in God, that never dies ! 

And faith in Christ's own Sacrifice ! 

In Prayer he seemed to take us up 

To Heaven itself. His heart seemed filled 

With life's pure stream. He took the cup 
His Saviour gave, and drank ; his fears were 
stilled. 

This life was glad to him, because his Lord, 

Sang through his soul in every tuneful chord. 



QQ THE GARDEN GATE 



THE SLEEP OF HIS BELOVED. 

" lie giveth His beloved sleep," 
The ages give them perfect rest ! 

Our tearful eyes need never weep 
For his beloved when they are blest ! 

Blest with a peace that never dies, 
The glorified have ceased to weep 

Their song of triumph, hear it rise ! 
■" He giveth His beloved sleep." 

On loftiest heights in heaven's glow, 
From valley and from mountain steep, 

The same sweet tides of music flow, 
" He giveth His beloved sleep." 



AND OTHER POEMS. 67 

At eventide, when silence reigns 

On all the earth in glory deep, 
A voice breathes in angelic strains, — 

" He giveth His beloved sleep." 

Beside the graves of friends we love, 
Where holy hearts ne'er fail to weep, 

This sentence whispers from above, — 
" He giveth His beloved sleep." 



(58 THE GARDEN GATE 



THEY ARE WITH US. 

They are with us who have fled, 
Thus will I be comforted. 
View] ess though my kindred be, 
Where they are, they think of me. 

Somewhere in the realm of souls, 
Love's great ocean toward me rolls; 
Somewhere, though my faith must see, 
Spirit friends are kind to me. 

As a presence, they are here, 
Witness to the smile or tear. 
Witness that my way is crowned 
By a love that knows no bound. 

So my spirit talks with them ; 
They have won life's diadem ; 
Satisfied to know that they 
Are the angels round my way. 

When the love that gave us birth 
Calls me from this changeful earth, 
Fadeless shall that rich love be, 
In the souls restored to me. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 6 l J 



BENJAMIN TYLER REED. 

Strong in his love for high and Churchly thought, 
With princely gifts, that thought, by him endowed, 

Will brightly glow ! The life-work he has wrought, 
Years will impress ; dispersing many a cloud 

From Error's night. Hearts will go out to him 
In sacred love, till life's last day is dim. 

Now shall he live in earnest minds and souls, 

Who run, on earth, their race for heavenly goals — 

Toilers divine, who work for hallowed ends ; 

These are Earth's best, Earth's truest, dearest friends ! 



70 THE GARDEN GATE 



DEPARTED YEARS. 

Departed years ! ye march in time, 
With steps set for the eternal shore, 

And promise of that Eden's prime, 
Where life is life forevermore ; 

Where all are strangers to decay, 
And hope smiles not to glide away ! 



Mine eyes have seen the light and shade 
Which over life each day hath spread ; 

And I have heard where pierced ones prayed 
For quick relief among their dead ! 

Where they have wept for all their slain, 
That they might live and love again. 



0, as these bells of Christmas chime, 
And thou departest, dying year, 



AND OTHER POEMS. 71 

The Child of Hope, in this due time, 
Keborn, shall bring his presence here ; 

And Faith and Peace our sky shall gem, 
For his Juclea and Bethlehem. 



And when our latest chimes have rung, 
And we go hence to find that shore 

Of which all holy bards have sung, 

0, blessed years, dawn there once more ; 

For then the friendships ye have given 
Shall quicken all our joy of heaven. 



72 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE PRESENT AND THE PAST. 



The present hour is full of thought, 

And full of noble deed ; 
The beautiful and true enwrought, 

Soon find their highest meed ; 
But in the glory of the Now, 

Its light around us cast, 
We know that two great worlds are made, 

The present and the past. 



Upon the parted years we stand, 

As on some mountain's crest 
And see beneath the valley land 

That once we called our rest. 
From youth to manhood's springtide hour 

We trace relations vast ; 
A gathered strength — a glorious power 

The* present and the past. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 73 

We look on ruins old and gray, 

Some tower of time laid low, 
And then we hear the ages say, 

We justly come and go ; 
We rear our temples fair and high, 

No age before surpassed ! 
Oh, tell us which of these may die, 

The present or the past. 

Oh, builders of yon stately towers, 

Ye boast the present time, 
Ye give unto her flying hours, 

Your anthem and your rhyme ; 
Be thankful while the moments speed, 

In circuits grand and vast, 
That ours are gifts from heaven indeed, 

The present and the past. 



74 THE GARDEN GATE 



BARON STOW, D. D. 

Translated with the dying year 

To Heaven's serene unclouded sphere, 

Why should we say " He is not here." 

It seems to me, they do not die, 
Who vanish from the mortal eye, 
The sons of God are always nigh. 

Their living presence is not fled 
Though we may call them now our dead, 
They are our Life- Stars overhead ! 

Each gleam of beauty they have given, 
Unfolds the ever glorious Heaven I 

Each gentle voicing in our ear, 
Hath made their souls forever dear, 
So that we feel their presence near ! 

And memory oft will show his face, 
Incarnate with a heavenly grace, 
In many a chosen dwelling place ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 75 

Love gave to him a blessed dower, 
Love gave him all his secret power. 

He in a charmed circle moved ; 
We knew him as the well beloved. 

Then weep we not ; the preacher true, 
Who gave us truths his spirit knew, 
Hath seen them now in cloudless view ! 

Let us rejoice that he doth know, 
The full immortal, lifetime's glow. 

For he who clung around the cross 
Of Christ, we know hath met no loss. 

There is no night, nor darkness dim, 
For those who sleep and rest in Him ! 



76 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE TIDES OF LIFE. 

These surging life-tides how they flow, 
In crowded streets, in busy marts ! 

Here Mammon wanders to and fro 
To seize and hold the human hearts. 

voice of strife, greed for gold, 
When may your histories all be told ? 

In souls that hide their deepest woes, 

Through hands that strangely grasp the prize, 

Behold the dreamy vision goes, 
To rise and fall before our eyes. 

To-day a gleaming, brilliant light; 
To-morrow, darkness death and night ! 

Yet who would hard-earned wealth despise, 
Or honest fortune's lap of gold ? 



AND OTHER POEMS. 77 

For riches lend to mortal eyes 
A crown of glory manifold ; 
No temple in its beauty stands 
But wealth upreared it with her hands. 

Yea Life itself waits at her gates ; 

Essential food and raiment tell ; 
And those who scorn her true estate 

Will surely sink to penury's hell ; 
And this is why the poor have fled 

Sometimes, to meet their kindred dead. 

Still holy Hope looks far beyond 
These life-tides in their rise and fall ; 

Faith smiles on us when we despond, 
And points to glories made for all ; 

And that all were truly wise 

To build their mansions in the skies! 



78 THE GARDEN GATE 



" GRANT US THY PEACE." 

Grant us thy peace Lord of all ! 
This inmost strife is hard to bear ; 
We stand, we soar, and then we fall, 
Our joys, our griefs are turned to prayer ; 
No thought no deed but stirs some power 
That bids the night through day to lower. 
We find no rest ; our feet must go 
When thou dost call, come joy or woe ; 
In vain we bid our sorrows cease ; 
Grant us, Lord, thy boon of peace ! 

Within the war-note's dire alarm, 
Within the dark unrest is known, 
There dwell the hosts of foes that harm, 
That keep us from the conqueror's throne. 
What towers of strength those foemen hold! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 79 

What mines of purest spirit-gold ! 
Send^thou some angel, stronger still, 
And ours shall be thy soverejgn will. 
In our submission, is release ; 
Grant us, Lord, thy perfect peace. 

Grant us thy peace ! then earthly things 
Shall work our blessedness alone, — 
And we may quaff those living springs 
Which we now long to call our own. 
Our prayer, our praise, for aye the same, 
Is blessed with thy most holy name ! 
Life's struggling tides shall never cease ; 
Grant us, O Lord, thy perfect peace ! 



80 THE GARDEN GATE 



OUR PERFECT DAYS. 

Fairer than our fairest gaze, 

Are the visioned, fadeless realms ; 

We have looked on perfect days, 
As creation's diadems. 

Perfect days give out such light, 
We can in our souls read well 

What is given to inner sight — 

Where the grand perceptions dwell. 

Hope and Faith on perfect days, 
Seem to show new glories here ; 

And our souls are filled with praise, 
That the open Heaven is near. 

Then the full heart of old Time 

Is o'erflowing in its store, 
And we know our day sublime 

Comes to stay forevermore ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 81 



MRS. HARRISON GRAY OTIS. 

The sacred heart of silence keeps 

The richest treasures of our dead ; 
There is a star whose radience shines 
On them in beauty's deepening lines, — 

A star of Hope ; and we are led 
By that unto a heavenly plain, 
Where angels sing. Each music strain 
Makes life and love grow pure again. 

The bells have tolled for one whose heart 

Bespoke itself in deed and truth ! 
It spoke in works that ne'er depart, 
And told its own immortal youth ; 
And in rich memories shining forth 
From East and West, and South and North, 
The soldier will pronounce her name 
With reverence. For we proudly claim 
Such names as hers, the land to crown, 
And send them to the ages down. 



THE GARDEN GATE 



THE WORLD ABOVE US. 

The bending skies above are blue. 



And the horizon gleams with stars! 
The days are born from thence anew, 
And worlds are in night's silvered bars. 

There mountains, hills, and vales arise, 
To the great seers that look within ; 

While each eternal mansion lies 

Afar from this world's death and din. 

There oceans in full grandeur roll, 
And rivers in their beauty glide ; 

The sweet voiced singers of the soul 
With music's chorus charm the tide ! 

And there the city of our God, 

With pearly gates and golden floors, 

Sends light and glory all abroad — 
Stands night and day with open doors. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 83 

World upon world and light on light, 
Star upon star sends forth its glow, 

While coursing glories, pure and bright, 
Like eddying currents come and go. 

What hearts, what souls are radient there ! 

What lives sublime in courses run ! 
What blessed toil, what hallowed care, 
Where work celestial is begun ! 

More worlds than one ! In every realm 
There must be life that hath a voice ; 

For life is being's diadem, 

And God doth in his works rejoice. 



84 THE GARDEN GATE 



THOMAS BULFINCII. 

This is not death. 'Tis pleasant sleep. 
why should we who love him weep ? 
This frame may sink back to the sod , 
The soul has risen to its God ! 

How beautiful these features arc ! 
And radient as some morning star, 
That from the east its light has shed 
To tell the gloom of night has fled. 

How beautiful his life has been, — 
So free from touch and deed of sin ; 
How beautiful the soul-lit smile 
That lingers on these lips the while ! 

How beautiful his presence seemed, 
The true ideal we have dreamed 
A human life perchance might be, 
Though tossed on Time's tempestuous sea. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 



85 



How fiting are these hymns and prayers, 
That speak his rest from mortal cares ; 
For he has passed the valley dim, 
And sung e'er this the triumph hymn. 

One look,— the last we give him here ; 
Yet in the spirit's gathering sphere, 
In worlds where not one dear life dies, 
Our risen friend shall meet our eyes ! 



86 THE GARDEN GATE 



A SUMMER'S RHYME. 

"Where is glory ever living, 
To the earth forever giving, 
More than heart or word can tell — 
See it in the forest dell. 

Where are hues whose brilliant showing, 
Far outshine the diamond's glowing ? 
See them in the lights that rise, 
In the near and distant skies. 

Where is beauty's soul displayed, 
If not in the welcome shade, 
And the roses and the flowers, 
And the sunshine of the hours ? 

Where are songs most dear and sweet, 
And the sound of tripping feet ? 
Ask the evening shade that falls, 
Ask in pleasures festive halls. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 87 

Where are Faith, and Hope, and Love ? 
Ask the shining heaven above ; 
Where the joys that ne'er depart ? 
Ask the. trusting human heart. 

Seek and find in Nature's fane, 
Where her joys supremest reign; 
In the garden, in the bower, 
In the sunshine, in the shower. 

Overhead are arching skies, 
Underneath a carpet lies ; 
Walls of azure, up and down, 
And the trees, like pillars, crown. 

Vain is all the seeker's art, 
If he loses faith and heart, 
Nature's ages onward roll, 
Only for an open soul. 



88 THE GARDEN GATE 



AMONG THE ROSES. 

"We walk among the roses 

In summer gardens fair, 
Her blooms are all around us, 

Her perfumes sweet and rare. 
The skies with smiles are lighted, 

The winds their fine harps play ; 
Who calls this earth the blighted ? 

Behold its perfect day ! 

We walk among the roses 

"Where rushing streamlets run, 
When life in its young glory, 

Is summer time, begun ! 
"What joy is wrought within us, 

"What beauty finds its way, 
To every spirit seeking 

A life without decay ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 89 

We walk among the roses, 

Where nature's light is made 
The welcome of the morning — 

The welcome of the shade ! 
Her choral anthems ringing, 

In vain we tune to words, 
We leave her voice of singing 

To all the tuneful birds. 

We walk among the roses 

In summer gardens fair, 
We bless the skies above us, 

We bless the cool, soft air. 
Oh, let us keep in blossom, 

These gardens fair of ours, 
And bring the heart of summer 

To all our spirit bowers. 



90 THE GARDEN GATE 



VOICES OF THE DAYS. 

I hear the voices of the days 

Come whispering through the silent night: 
" Where hast thou led thy spirit's ways, 

Since brightly shone the morning light ? 

u Where were thy footsteps longest seen ? 

To whom thy hand of friendship given ? 
To whom hast thou a presence been, 

A light whose radiance led to heaven ? 

"What word for truth, what deed for love 
Has from thy being sent its glow ? 

What soul uplifted far above 

The waves of grief, is thine to show ? 

" What hallowed thought of duty kept, 
What gift of faith what soul of prayer? 

What evil passion hast thou swept 

Out from thy soul, that tried thee there ?" 



AND OTHER POEMS. 91 

I hear the voices ! Ere I sleep, 
How they rebuke and give me pain ! 

The j tell me how I sow and reap, 
And garner up life's golden grain. 

'Tis here and there a little gold ; 

A little gain, or wondrous loss ; 
My inward life is manifold, * 

Where is my crown to bless my cross ? 



92 THE GARDEN GATE 



WE MAY NOT TELL. 

We may not tell what hidden power, 

Lies in t]ie present living hour, 

Nor how the words therein we speak 

May keep the strong, and soothe the weak ; 

Nor how our deeds have might to thrall, 

Or bless the mightiest of us all. 

How smiles of love, or flashing scorn, 

Bring daylight's gleams, or evening's on ; 

How smallest look of ours may lift, 

Or send a soul, out sea, adrift ! 

May give affliction's tides to swell, 

Or lands of peace wherein to dwell ! 

We may not tell, we may not tell ! 

We may not tell, what one true heart, 
Of life, of beauty, may impart 
To Freedom's course, when to its foes 
The ranks of holy patriots close ; 
When voice and arm as one combine, 
To fix the Right's embattled line. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 93 

To swear allegiance to the land 
Of mountains high, and valleys grand ; 
To vow that by her dower of right, 
Her stars shall never set in night ! 
Though heroes die, and dirges swell, 
How bright their names in ages dwell, 
We may not tell, we may not tell ! 

We may not tell what lowly cot, 
One life hath made a hallowed spot ! 
What virtue from some poor unknown, 
Hath lifted weakness to a throne ! 
What prayer of meekest soul hath done 
To help a true life's victory on ! 
What faith hath saved us in that hour 
When hope and trust seemed not its dower ; 
When far above, the darkened skies 
Were like a midnight to our eyes ! 
Oh ! let this thought within us dwell, 
And bind life's Ages with its spell ! 
We may not tell, we may not tell ! 



()4 THE GARDEN GATE 



THANKSGIVING HYMN. 

(In War time.) 

Give thanks ; the corn and wine are still 

Our portion as of yore ; 
The harvest sheaves our garners fill, 

With plenty's welcome store ! 

The generous seasons well have done 

Their Heaven appointed part ! 
The flowers have hloomcd beneath the sun, 

And gladness filled our heart. 

The skies have looked serenely down 

Upon our furrowed soil ; 
Storms have broken the cloud's dark frown ; 

Success hath crowned our toil ! 

Give thanks around the festive board ; 

Bring there the truest cheer ; 
There be the Nation's God implored, 

To bless the closing year 



AND OTHER POEMS. 95 

What though we miss some friend of old — 

His presence cease to view, 
Now let our thanks be manifold ; 

The endless life is true ! 

What though the battle rages on ; 

And noble heroes fall ; 
Give thanks ! our Freedom is not gone ; 

She stands and crowns us all. 



96 THE GARDEN (J ATE 



THE SOLDIER'S LAST MESSAGE. 

A Soldier's last -words on the battle-field, were : " Cling to the 
dear old Flag;— Cling to the cross of Christ. ' 

Soldier lay thee calmly down, 

In the fierce strife with the strong, 

Winning at the last thy crown, 
Sing thy triumph song. 

"Well hast thou two battles fought, 
One without, and one within ; 

Well thy life-work hath been wrought, 
Let thy rest begin. 

Toilsome marches thou hast seen, 
Want and woe full oft been thine ; 

Yet thy heart was all serene, 
And thy faith divine. 

Every deed which thou hast given, 
Every power that thou hast shown, 

Deepens now our trust in heaven, 
Leads us near the throne. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 97 

But the words which at the last, 
Breathed the fulness of thy soul, 

Never will be lost or passed, 
While the ages roll. 

" Clinsr unto the dear old fla^; ;" 

" To the cross of Christ still cling ;" 

Memory, with those blessed words, 
Is a sacred thing. 

Favored Nation ! speak the praise 
Of that God, who from the dust, 

Lifts the fallen hero's gaze, 
To the mount of trust. 

Linger there by faith and prayer, 

Watch till shadows flee away, 
Till the sweet and balmy air 

Speaks the dawning day ! 



U8 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE CONQUEROR OF ALL. 

Let all who choose, spurn hallowed thought, 

And only delve in earthly soil ; 
There is a life with glory fraught, 

A grandeur in all mental toil. 
The man who lifts with brawny hands, 

The hidden ores from mine and sod, 
Hath in his soul sublimer land 

Than all these outward realms of God. 

The farmer when he sows his seeds 

Broadcast upon the furrowed ground, 
Discerneth well his future needs, 

In harvest sheaves together bound. 
There is a beauty and a grace 

In all to which his hand rs given, 
He sees in Nature's faultless face 

The matchless symetry of Heaven. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 

'Tis Thought that makes the regal mind, 

That gems and stars the human brow ; 
The soul by her is well refined, 

And to her mandates monarchs bow. 
Great thrones and empires soon must fall, 

For them be no memorial found — 
The Soul is conqueror over all, 

For she is blest, and saved, and crowned ! 



99 



100 THE GAKDEX GATE 



LIGHTEN OUR DARKNESS. 

Lighten our darkness, Lord of Light 
Disperse from us the shades of night. 
The night is deep, where shall we go, 
But to thy sunlight's blessed glow ? 
We grope, we grieve, are lost, are lone ; 
guide us to thy spotless throne ! 
The twilight of our being raise 
Unto thy starlight's hallowed gaze, — 
From starlight to thy crowning day, 
Which takes our darkest shades away. 

Lighten our darkness Lord of Light ! 
Afar the day gleams on our sight, 
The distances lie distant still, 
We wait the moving of thy will. 
The valleys where dim footsteps go 
Are full of music, sweet and low, 
Which sounds from thy angelic choirs, 
To kindle all our high desires I 



AND OTHER POEMS. 101 

We long from darkness to upsoar 
Where night enfolds us nevermore. 

Lighten our darkness, Lord of Light ! 
Guard thou our slumbers through the night, 
Watch o'er the world, where our repose 
Is watched by friends and watched by foes ; 
Where gloom and brightness interblend, 
Till sleep and deathlike stillness end. 
When thy eternal morning breaks 
The spell this earthly slumber makes, 
For all the blackness of the night, 
Give us thy glory, Lord of Light ! 



102 THE GARDEN GATE 



BEAUTY OF THE PSALMS. 

Through the soul-inspiring Psalms, 
Israel's sweet and holy Psalms, 
Rest I in Jehovah's arms. 

For the blessed psalmist brings 

Images of holy things, 

From the mighty King of kings. 

And I feel an awe divine, 
When I trace each sacred line ; 
See God's radiant glory shine. 

Then the Temple's vail seems rent, 
And I linger there content, 
Listening to the message sent. 

Trust and wait ; his coming see ; 
Heaven-sent angels cling to thee ; 
As thy day, thy strength shall be. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 

Then I stand entranced and gaze, 
While the voiced soul of praise 
Tells me of eternal days. 

Never can my soul deny 
That profound celestial cry, 
Thou to God art very nigh. 

For the music of the Psalms, 
Finds me with uplifted palms, 
Resting calmly in God's arms. 

Whispering to me thus, he saith, 
I who breathe in thee my breath, 
I am Lord of life and death. 

Through the valley 1 will lead ; 
Of my sheep who with me feed, 
I good Shepherd am indeed ! 

Take my. staff, and take my rod, 
Drink my life-stream, child of God, 
That which courses all abroad. 

I will surely comfort thee, 

When thourowest through the sea — 

Guide thee straightway unto me. 



103 



104 THE GARDEN GATE 

Thou shalt fear no evil then ; 
Evil is for earthly ken, 
Not for true, immortal men. 

Of all singers, King of kings, 
This and more the Psalmist sings, 
And rich comfort to me brings. , 

"When I praise, and when I pray, 
This grand singer cheers my way, 
And I whisper day by day, 

While the angels wait on high, 

And the seraphim do cry, 

Psalm nor Psalmist ne'er shall die. 

God of singing, pure and sweet, 
By this power my soul complete ; 
Make me for thy presence meet. 

Let me reach to thine, my arms ; 
Clasp in thine my spirit palms, 
And my life-chants be these Psalms! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 105 



A GOLDEN TRUTH. 

'Tis a golden truth that love seeks love, 
That souls do meet in a kindred way, 
Where the soul-love is, the heart must stay ; 

That love divine is the Spirit Dove, 
Of the stream of life that wends its way. 

'Tis a golden truth, love cannot die ! 
It moveth on in its heavenly course, 
And it bows alone to its own true source ; 
It hath no wings of its own to fly 
Away from the soul in its own blue sky. 

'Tis a golden truth that love is true ; 

Though the soul be dark with an earthly mist, 
That soul by the heart of love is kissed, 

Till the life is ransomed through and through ; 



'Tis a golden truth that love is true. 



10G THE GARDEN GATE 



BIRTHDAY POEMS. 

To TV. X>., 1S72. 

If new born light on thee should dawn, 

On this thy new birthday, 
Be thankful for the rising morn, 

That promises to stay. 
For sunshine is the gift of God, 

It falls around our door ; 
It goldens every pathway trod, 

With joy forevermore. 

A river of great gladness rolls 

Close to our lives unseen ; 
There's music in all human souls — 

A heavenly life serene ; 
And this is the grand miracle: 

Why grieving life moves on, 
When what was once a glorious spell 

Is vanished and is gone. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 107 

Life is a mystery deeply hid, • 

That day by day unrolls ; 
That we should lose it, love forbid ; 

The heart must reach its goals. 
cross of pain ! crown of light ! 

We cry in every hour, 
Where is our peace in day and night, 

And life's reviving power. « 

The Infinite has ordered all ; 

He knows our changeful race, 
And keeps within his spirit call 

Our inmost dwelling place. 
How wondrous is that way of His, 

With all its starry shine ! 
How fearfully sublime it is ! 

The way of " thine and mine." 

He knows our birthdays in His heart ; 

His eye to every one 
Doth give its own allotted part, 

And watch till day is done. 
Clad in his robe of matchless hue 

The souls of men are seen; 



108 THE GARDEN GATE 

what are we in His review ? 
what does Being mean ? 

Now let Him answer. We are blind 

To see the first and last, 
Will he not prove forever kind 

In life's most stormy blast ? 
God grant that when this life is o'er, 

Our souls may sweetly say 
That life which changed forevermore 

Has here its best birthday ! 



To TT. D., 1873. 



There are birthdays of the soul ; 

What shall thine, good friend, be ! 
Birthdays of the years that roll, 

Hear them whisper unto thee ; 
Life is God's great trust to men, 

And the years that come and go 
Tell of a sublimer ken, 

Which the blessed ones shall know. 



AND OTHER PCOIf. 100 

There is gold in every mind, 

Darkened though the mind may be ; 
There are wells of thought, refined ; 

There is Being's crystal sea ; 
And the bright eternal years, 

Free from doubt3 forever run ; 
Here is freedom from all tears, 

Through the Father and the Son. 

Thus my thoughts to-day are turned, 

When I think of years that roll ; 
Think the highest truth is learned 

In the silence of the soul ; 
And I say within my heart, 

Give the old years all their due, 
Let us bid them all depart, 

Let us welcome in the new. 

Is not this a beauteous clime, 

Wherein mortals briefly stay ? 
When a moment is their time, 

When a morning gilds their way ? 
Knowing this how grand the aim 

Of our living here should be, 



110 THE GAUD EX GATE 

Trusting in the Holy Name, 

Making all things pure and free. 

0, these birthdays ! soon they cease ; 

"We shall move to other spheres, 
Into worlds of endless peace, 

Born of the undying years. 
Then, on some eternal height, 

On some mount of God, sublime, 
We shall view with calm delight 

All the birthdays of our time. 



AND OTHER POEMS. Ill 



THE PEACE OF GOD. 

Thy peace, God ! when will it come ? 

We are unrestful in this world of care ; 
We find no peace ; all things are dumb, 

Unto our speech when moulded into prayer ; 
Dark heavy mists move round us, we are sad 
To see no Eastern Star, with glory clad ! 
Earthward we move, toward Heaven our feet 

move slow ; 
Night fills the realms where daylight beams 

should glow ; 
Light up the skies that o'er our pathways bend. 
Vouchsafe to keep us, Lord, till life shall end ! 



112 THE GARDEN GATE 



CHRISTMAS LELLS. 

Christmas bells, that chime once more ! 
Toll out the blessed days of yore ; 
Toll out the hearts that have not died, 
Toll out the souls now glorified. — 

Now chime and ring, 

Now ring and sing, 
One sweet £Ood will o'er land and tide ! 

Sweet pealing bells, loud chiming bells ! 
Ring out the year's sublime farewells ; 
Ring out the glad notes, ever young, 
Breathed for the shepherd's heart and tongue 

Now peal and ring, 

Now ring and sing, 
The sweet good will the angels sung. 

Glad Christmas bells ! grand Christmas bells ; 
O'er mount and vale your music swells ! 
Ye cannot hush your murmers sweet, 
Ye make Crcations's song complete ; 



AND OTHER POEMS. 



Ye ring and sins:, 
Ye sing and rins;, 
Till Time keeps time with joyful feet. 

Dear ancient bells, old chiming bells ; 
Old hymns, all glorious with their swells, 
Go sounding on in every peal, 
Till memory laughs and weeps to feel 

That when ye ring, 

And when ye sing, 
Old Time hath many a wound to heal ! 

Chime, Christmas bells ! sound Christmas bells ! 

O'er all the lands your cadence swells, 

A tone that never can depart 

Fom him who hath a human heart — 

Then ring and sing, 

And sing and ring, 
O'er hill, o'er vale, o'er town o'er mart! 



114 THE GAKDKN GATE 



EMPIRES. 

Empires of thought, of word, raid deed 
Arise, and shine, then pass away ; 

Their heroes and their martyr's meed 
Is that they live ahvay. 

Eternal friendship speaks their praise ; 

Immortal memory sings their name ; 
Time glories in their crowning days. 

And gives them endless fame. 

They voiced the truth, — they would not give 
A falsehood wings to cleave the air ; 

They bade old error cease to live, 
To die in dark despair. 

They spoke for freedom and for God, 
Of victories that the right should gain ; 

The paths of sacrifice they trod, 
In want, and care, and pain. 



AXD OTHER POEMS. H5 

And therefore hallowed is the grave, 
Blessed by their memory's guiding star, 

The deathless and the parted brave 
Who with the angels are. 

Forget them not ; we may behold 

In vision that heroic throng: 
And learn that beauteous lives enfold 

The world's enduring son<r. 



HG THE GARDEN GATE 



LOVING AND KNOWING. 

lie who loves God's will shall know 
How His Spirit's breath doth blow, 
Till the secret influence given 
Opens all the doors of Heaven. 

He who met his Lord by night, 
Found his everlasting light 
In the Master's Truth that spoke, 
Which the darkened heavens broke. 

So the soul that walks alone, 
Looking toward the heavenly throne, 
Peering through these prison bars, 
Shall behold its crown of stars. 

As the winds of eartli do play 
In the night and in the day, 
So all seasons of earth's time, 
Show the world of truth sublime. 



AND OTHER POEMS. IV 

Vv r e may ask as one of old, 
How can these things o'er be told ? 
Who among the sons of men 
Shall on earth be born again ? 

Then the Master's voice shall speak, 
ye faithless, ye weak, 
Lore of ages have ye learned, 
And this truth not yet discerned ? 

In the depths of being given, 
Find the holy heights of heaven ; 
In the soul thy rest must be, 
And the home that comforts thee ! 

Here His gifts have blissful power, 
Here is thy eternal dower — 
Seeking him by day and night, 
See ; the Master gives us light. 

Thus seeker of the Lord, 
Take the meaning of His Word, 
Till His Spirit shall unfold 
Gates of pearl, end streets of gold. 



118 TIIE GARDEN GATE 



EASTER HYMN. 

Bring flowers! bring flowers! 'tis Easter dawn ; 
Brin" music's cheering tone ! 

CD O 

The Spring hath symbolized the morn, 
That man may call his own. 

Bring flowers ! the font and altar wreathe ! 

Chant psalm and gloria here ! 
Hark ! voices full of gladness breathe 

Hymns for the Christian Year. 

The risen Christ of God behold ! 

Immortal life He brings ! 
lie opens now the streets of gold, 

Our song of triumph sings ! 

The sealed sepulchre He breaks 

With strong Almighty hands ; 
While at his feet all Evil shakes, 

And bow the angel bands. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 119 

He rises ! They -who seek him now, 

Will seek him not in vain ; 
Eternal light is on his brow, 

The Conqueror's cross is gain ! 

Bring flowers ! bring flowers, to beautify 

These temples of our peace ! 
The Lord is risen, we shall not die, 

Though all things earthly cease. 

The hosts of Hell shall harm no more, 

The souls that would be free ! 
Our victory waits us on the Shore 

Of Immortality ! 



120 THE GARDEN GATE 



EASTER MORNING. 

Easter Morning dawns again ! 
Sing, as once on Judca's plain 
Sweetly broke the Christmas strain. 

Christ hath risen ! From the tomb 
Bursts the flower of endless bloom ! 

Christ hath risen ! Man shall rise 
With his Lord, to Paradise. 

Sin, and death, and fearful hell 

By his power forever fell ; 

Sincr, earth ! His victories tell. 

Risen with Him, the morning star ! 
Risen where tears nor changes mar ! 
Risen all his followers are ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 121 

Bring the first flower of the Spring, 
And the joyous anthem sing, 
While ye give the offering. 

Flowers once crowned the paths He trod 

When He pressed this earthly sod, 

Were they not the flowers of God ? 

Easter morning dawns again ! 
Sing, as once on Judea's plain 
Sweetly broke the Christmas strain ! 



122 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE CHURCH OF GOD. 

When the Church of God is loving, 

"When her words are strong and true ; 
She will show the ancient beauty 

That her first-horn ages knew. 
Then her saints were crowned with glory, 

Then her living powers were bright ; 
Then her prayer and song and story, 

Shone with Heaven's resplendent light. 

When the Church of God is holy, 

She in Christ's stead will be near 
To the needy, — to the lowly, 
To the sons of slavish fear. 

She will lead the feet cstraying 
On the mountain bleak and cold : 



AND OTHER rOEMS. 123 

She will mould to deeds her praying, 
Till the wanderers reach the fold. 

Blessed with ritual, calm and peaceful, 

Blessed with praise in hymn and prayer, 
Like the psalmist sweet of Israel, 

She will comfort earthly care. 
For the joy or grief that seals us 

Pilgrims on a mortal shore, 
She hath some accordant voicing 

For our heart loves evermore. 

Age and youth, to her are winsome, 

She hath graces free and pure, 
She hath solaces unspoken 

For the ills that must endure ; 
She doth point her faithful people 

To that grand unclouded sky, 
Where at last our souls are victors, 

On the hills of God Most High. 

Oh, for life and death ! how radient 
Is the Gospel Word she tells ; 



124 THE GARDEN GATE 

Of the mighty Resurrection — 
When the Easter Anthem swells ! 

When the Lord of all the living, 
Doth each earth-born foe subdue, 

And His life eternal giving, 
Maketh in us all things new. 



But his Church, baptized in glory, 

We may not in time express ; 
Only in her world immortal, 

Beameth full her holiness. 
Let us heed her spirit's urging, 

That we love her ancient ways, 
Till by her fruition lifted, 

We the perfect Godhead praise. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 125 



AT THE PARTING OF THE WAYS. 

At the parting of the ways, 

Standing on time's winding shore, 

Looking with an upward gaze, 
Glance we toward the evermore. 

At the tide that meets us there, 
Deathless souls are joy-inspired, 

Glimpses of the Heavens to share, 
And the mansions long desired ! 

Not until that crystal wave 

Reaches to our very feet, 
Do we know the good we crave, 

And the kindred whom we meet ! 

Only here a faint light gleams 
On the pilgrims by our side, 

Only there, where daylight beams, 
Souls transfigured, by us glide ! 



126 THE GARDEN GATE 

Let us read Life's Book in love ; 

Think liow changeful time must seem, 
As th£ Star of Hope above 

Shines for hearts that toil and dream ! 

Each his own load has to bear, 

Each his burden to uphold ; 
Kind for us may be their prayer, 

Though our hearts may deem them cold. 

For the heart of man is one 
Throbbing in electric thrills 

When a noble deed is done, 

When a true soul thinks and wilfe. 

When the humblest work of souls 
Soon or late in triumph stands, 

Gladness like an anthem rolls 
O'er the near or distant lands. 

Still this truth a truth remains : 
Never till a good man dies 

Do we feel what soulful gains 
That one being underlies! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 127 

Tie has shed refreshing dews 

On our paths of earthly strife ; 
He has brought new worlds to view, 

In his grand eternal life ! 

In his bright ascension hour 

He has laid on us his hand, 
And we feel that blissful power, 

Human love may understand. 

At the parting of the ways, 

• Standing on a wave-washed shore, 

Blessed is our upward gaze, 

Glancing toward the evermore ! 



128 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE FOREST WANDERER. 

Where's our clear child ? there's our pet ? 

In the forest lingering jet ! 

All the shades are round her thrown, 

Leaves and flowers are round her blown ; 

By the singing streams she glides, 

Gazing on their coursing tides, 

With a bright and beaming eye, 

Looking low and looking high, 

Looking to the heavens above, 

Full of soul and full of love. 

Where's our good child ? where's our pet ? 
She hath staid the time we set, 
We must soon her ways explore, 
Bring her to the household door. 
Evening must not dim the sun, 
E'er our searching is begun ; 
Silence must not gird us round, 
E'er our roaming pet be found ; 



AND OTHER POEMS. 129 

Evening star-lamps soon will burn, 
Let us haste the child's return ! 

Where's our good child ? where's our pet ? 

Stranger child we never met ! 

Brave yet gentle, firm yet mild, 

Well she loves the dingles wild ! 

In the sunshine in the showers, 

She is roving midst the flowers. 

Straying far and straying still, 

Let us seek her where Ave will ! 

E'er the evening star-lights burn, « 

Let us haste the child's return. 

So, forevermore we sing 
Of all loves to which we cling ; 
When we meet and when we part, 
So forever speaks the heart. 
Distant lands the forms divide, 
Spirits linger side by side ; 
And we say of thos3 who roam, 
We will give them welcome home ; 
Evening star-lamps must not burn, 
Till our dear ones all return ! 



130 THE GARDEN GATE 



FATHER OF ALL WHO LOVE THY 
NAME. 

Father of all who love thy name, 
And from the heart obey thy will, 

To thee we would submit our frame, 
And be as thou art, calm and still. 

thou All Perfect ! none may touch 
The awful stillness of thy throne ; 

These fearful hearts do tremble much 
To feel the silence of their own ! 

Thy silences arc full of peace, — 

Still thou the waves that o'er us roll ; 

Thou art the voice that may not cease 
To be the joy of every soul ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 131 

Make us to be at peace with thee 

When clouds of darkness round us lie ; 

Then do we need thy face to see, 
And then the guidance of thine eye. 

Thy joy and rest, — if these be ours 

No outward foe may us enthrall ; 
Our heart and our eternal powers 

Repose in thee, our all in all. 



132 THE GAKDEN GATE 



MY NATIVE LAND. 

My native land is good and great ! 

She stands on Truth's and Mercy's side, 
She keeps at memory's golden gate 

The brave who bled for her and died. 
She lives in power — the soul of law — 

Makes her a presence, free and strong ; 
She thrills the patriot's heart with awe. 

She grandly chants sweet freedom's song 

My native land is good and great! 

Her deeds aro like the morning star, 
Whose radiant beams make day elate 

With light and beauty from afar. 
Upon her hills the Church of God, 

Shoots up her heaven-ascending spire ; 
And classic shades, our feet have trod, 

Gleam forth with learning's sacred fire. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 133» 

My native land is good and great ! 

She listens to the suppliants cry, 
And they whom bondage binds to fate, 

Look to Columbia, e'er they die ! 
She stretches forth her welcome hands 

To them who faint, in life's long race ; 
And to the poor of other lands 

She gives a home and dwelling-place. 

My native land ! God bless her name, 

And on her brow his honors shed — 
Hold in His hand her well earned fame, 

Nor let her rest with nations dead. 
From every clime, and land, and sea, 

His guiding eye her sons implore ; 
His hand lead on to victory, 

And bid her rise to fall no more ! 



134 THB GARDEN GATE 



IN THE MORNING. 

In the morning we shall rise, 

We shall rest awhile at first, 
Then in Heaven's sercner skies, 
We shall lift our blessed eyes, 
Where our life divine is nurst ! 

We shall all retire at night, 
By the evening's starry light ; 
We shall all our eyelids close, 
In our sweet and deep repose ; 
In our night-time, we shall be 
Dreaming on life's boundless sea ! 
We shall sleep, yet hear the roll 
Of the surges of the soul ! 
We shall sec our night depart, 
And the Day-spring fill our heart ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 

One by one, the shades will fly, 
As the full clay gems the sky ! 
We must work life's little day ; 
Toil with patience when we pray — 
Something from our life must go, 
That our Master's Hand may show 
To the eyes that waken, where 
Heaven and our good angels are ! 
Never can life's work be done, 
Never can a setting sun 
Lull us there, to deep repose ! 
There our life stream ever flows ! 
There our manhood finds its best — 
Finds its everlasting rest ! 

We shall not all sleep, but rise, 
Glory-crowned, in Paradise ! 
Made alive in Christ, the Word, 
His sweet voice within us heard, 
Endless death shall take its flight ! 
Night will merge in morning light ; 
And that morning light will stay, 
When the heavens shall pass away ! 



135 



136 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE DYING YEAR. 

Glorious days are smiling round us, 
While the leaves and flowers are sear. 

And a soul-entrancing beauty 
Crowns the autumn of the year. 

Can it be the year is dying, 

When her brow is fair and calm, 

When her words are kind and gentle, 
And her brfiath is but a balm ? 

See ! a light that is supernal 

Rests upon her placid face.; 
So her blessings arc eternal, 

Deathless memories now have place. 

She hath lived to purpose grateful, 
Brightened many earth abodes, 

Counselled many weary pilgrims, 
Travelling o'er life's misty road 



AND OTHER POEMS. 137 

She hath lifted too the burdens, 
From the time-worn and the weak ; 

And hath bidden lips of sorrow, 

Words of cheer and gladness speak. 

Let the hearts which round her linger, 

Shrine her in each deep recess, 
Fixing memory's magic finger, 

On her wondrous loveliness. 

Through the stillness of the forests, 

And the silence of the dells, 
Come the murmered dirgeful echoes 

Of the dying year's farewells. 

And the human heart doth follow, 

Wailing over all things sear — ■ 
O'er the fast receding radiance, 

Or the dying of the year ! 



138 THE GARDEN GATE 



A WORLD'S INVOCATION. 

Grief-bound is the wide Creation. 
Waiting for its restoration ; 

Praying, God of mercy spare us, 
For the Heaven of love prepare us ; 

Take us from the realms of error, 
Chase away our night of terror ; 

Turn the straying footsteps rightly, 
Make the darkened hearts shine brightly 

Friend Almighty, deign to save us 
From the tyrants that enslave us. 

Chastncr, Keeper of the lowly, 
Send to us thine angels holy. 

To thy longing faint Creation, 
Bring the day of restoration ; 



AND OTHER POEMS. 139 

Bring the day when grief shall vanish, 
And thy voice the wrong shall banish ; 

Bring the lost ones old and hoary, 
Bring thou all souls home to glory ; 

Make thy Kingdom universal, 
Earthwide be thy love's rehearsal ; 

Father of the whole Creation, 
Bring the day of restoration ! 



140 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE GIFTS OF THE EARTH. 

The gifts of earth, in summer, 

Are mild, reviving showers — 
The sunbeam and the shadow, 

Its ever beaming flowers ; 
The rainbow's tinted gleaming, 

The songs of bird and rill, 
The evening stars' glad beaming, 

When all is hushed and still. 

The gifts of earth, in autumn, 

Are fruits of labor bold ; 
The faithful sower reaps 

In harvest time his gold. 
It twines the wreath of gladness 

Around that son of earth, 
As he turns from care and sadness, 

To his joyous household hearth ! 

The gifts of earth, in winter, 
Arc blessed gifts to man, 



AND OTHER TO EMS. 141 

The trophies of his labor, 

That he the past may scan, 
And view in memory's mirror 

Each joy and grief passed by, 
And read the heavenly favor 

In sunbeams on life's sky. 

The gifts of earth, in spring time, 

Are sparkling river streams, 
And gently opening flowers, 

In the sun's restoring beams. 
They come and go like shadows 

Athwart each sunny ray, 
And as the shower's bright rainbow, 

They beam to pass away. 

One season is unfading — 

The spring time of the mind ; 
It hath no final shading, 

But lasting gifts refined. 
The gems of thought shall ever 

Increasing beauty wear, 
To cheer man's path to Heaven, 

And crown with glory there. 



142 THE GARDEN GATE 



BEAUTY IN DECAY. 

Is there no beauty in decay, 

In fading leaves and flowers ? 
Go see the roses fade away, 

With autumn's gliding hours ; 
Go watch the changes of the skies 

At day, or golden even ; 
Then say, if glory may not rise, 

In nature's clouded heaven ! 

Is there no beauty in decay ? 

Mark well the singing streams ; 
Behold them coursing on their way 

Like dreamers, in their dreams. 
Look on the stars and twilight shade, 

Look on the midnight gloom 
And see ! ah see, a glory made, 

For nature's living tomb. 

Is there no beauty in decay ? 
Go to deserted bowers, 



AXD OTHER POEMS. 141 

And hear low voices, whispering, say 
Where are my buds and flowers ? 

Where are the vines that round us clung, 
The birds that used to sing ? 

And these shall answer with a tongue 
Prophetic of the spring ! 

Is there no beauty in decay ? 

Ask thou the silent grave 
That hides the loved from sight away, 

That hath no gift to save, 
And that shall answer : these shall rise ! 

I keep the golden grain, 
Till angels from celestial skies, 

Shall bind these sheaves again ! 



144 THE GARDEN GATE 



A VOICE TO THE SINGERS. 

Singers in your glorious spheres, 

Living in God's endless years, 

Once ye sang, on earth, through tears. 

Here in many haunts of woe, 
Went your footsteps to and fro, 
Knowing what we do not know. 

Inward struglings, long and vain, 
Days and nights of care and pain, 
Ye can never know again. 

By unwelcome fortune led, 

micro the lost and wandering tread, 

Starving for your daily bread ; 

Starving, while a world of wealth, 
Stole your inmost life by stealth, 
And your spirit's holy health. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 145 

While it called your way a crime, 
Waste of poor man's thought and time, 
Took the blessing of your rhyme. 

Now your night of grief is o'er, 
Earth will think of you the more, 
And your shining thought implore. 

They who spurned you from their side, 
From their rank and wealth and pride, 
Now behold you glorified ! 

Singers, in your glorious spheres, 
Ye shall sing no more through tears ; 
Yours are God's eternal years ! 



14(3 XHK GARDEN GATE 



THE CITY OF THE SOUL. 

There's a fair and beauteous city, 

Where life's endless streams shall roll, 

It is not a far-off city 

'Tis the City of the soul! 

There the streets are long and winding, 

Leading unto many a goal, 
Wondrous tides of being finding, 

In the City of the soul ! 

Light is there, and glory, shining ; 

Thought is there, that hath control ; 
Day is there, each way divining, 

Through the City of the soul ! 

There are temples of pure praises, 
"Where the hymns of music roll ! 

And the spell that music raises, 
Charms the City of the soul. 



AND OTHER POEMS. 147 

There the path of life, still courses 
On, by nature's sweet control — 

Nature, by her silent forces, 
Crowns the City of the soul ! 

There are nights of spirit terror, 
Where the darkest oceans roll ; 

There arc deepest shades of error, 
Round the City of the soul ! 

But the blackest night is transient, 
Streams of life from azure roll ! 

Lights celestial yet are shining 
In the City of the soul ! 



148 THE GARDEN GATE 



LIFE-TIME'S DREAM 

1 know that life is full of dreams. 



The human heart is not at rest, — 
That heart more glorious than it seems, 

Seeks out a world serene and blest. 
I know it by the gleaming eyes, 

That droop, or rise with grief or joy ; 
I know it by the smiling skies 

That hover round the happy boy ! 



He has his dreams of rare delight, 
His eyes expectant look afar ! 

He sees his wished-for goal in sight ; 
He will not see his evening star ! 

Life's morning glory sheds its rays 
Upon his fair uplifted brow, 



AND OTHER POEMS. 149 

And visions of his coming days, 

Impart their peace and beauty now ! 

Behold him gladsome in his plays, 

And earnest in each word and tone ! 
How strong is he in childish ways, 

How well he loves to walk alone, 
How pure, how loving is his love, 

Unknown in depth, or breadth, or height, 
Like that which lives for him above, 

And guards him on his couch at night ! 

Oh ! childhood is a type of truth ; 

An image manhood well may wear, 
The joys that charm and lead our youth, 

May cast their spell round manhood's care. 
Let shadows leave at last life's stream, 

The real hath forms forever new ; 
Each speechless thought, each day-born dream 

Is but an earnest of the true ! 

So would my spirit ever say, 
Unto the man, and to the boy, 



150 THE GARDEN GATE 

Thou hast in time but one brief day ! 

Oh make that day, one day of joy ! 
We know that every varying gleam, 

Is brightening in its inward glow, 
And while each life must have its dream, 

No life can be a fleeting show ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 



151 



THE POWER OF DEEDS. 

Oh ! not alone by thought and words, 
Is power increased within the soul ; 

Deeds reach and touch the tenderest chords, 
Deeds make the spirit whole ! 

Something to manifest our love 

For man ; this gives us power ! 
Beyond all words, deeds prove our love 

To be life's noblest dower ! 

And souls are saved by holiest deeds ! 

It may be, in some fairer clime, 
That we shall meet the soul, whose needs 

Our deeds met here in time ! 

And it may gladden us to know, 

That happy souls, there pure and free, 

Were saved by us, from rocks below, 
When they were wrecked at sea ! 



152 THE GARDEN GATE 



THE SEASONS. 

Let seasons come, and quickly go ; 

They only deepen lives within, 
The summer heats, the winter's snow, 
These are the types of all below, — 

The types of lives that we begin ! 

We have our summer noontide heats, 
And then the life's deep, fervent glow ! 

We have the stormy blast that beats, 

That whirls us through the driving snow, 
While home grows distant as we go ! 

The rivers course, the oceans roll, 

The thunders peal, the lightnings gleam ! 

All these are in the living soul ; 

Whose silent, and whose secret stream, 

Doth leap and sing to reach its goal ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 15^ 

Our mountains rise, our valleys sink, 
Our ways have an uncertain tread. 

The founts are glad at which we drink, 
Till we remember some are dead, 
Who with us, love's sweet ritual said. 

Our days move on ; the light of stars 

Is shed adown our evening sky ; 
The moon's out-shining silver bars, 

The softened winds that whisper by, 

Betoken summer's cadenced cry. 

The seasons yet, will come and go ; 
One season in our Eden lies, 

One summer-time in endless glow, 
Will bless the pure immortal eyes, 
For there the blooming never dies ! 



154 THE GARDEN GATE 



FANNY FERN. 

With heart heroic, crowned by pain, 
She conquered all her earthly foes, 

She triumphed! Now eternal gain, 
Her pure enfranchised spirit knows ! 

Great soul ! so long and sorely tried ; 
Such spirits shall be glorified ! 

Blest thought ! no tempest? reach her now. 
No' care-worn toil, no unkind voice; 

Where free-born sons and daughters bow, 
She lives now only to rejoice ; 

And blessed in the eternal hours, 

Are all her thoughts and ail her powers ! 

'Tis well, the marble shaft should gleam, 
All glorious with her honored name, 

'Tis well that writen words should beam, 
To tell the beauty of her fame ; 

For this can well be said of her, 

She was a noble conqueror ! 



AND OTHER POEMS. 155 



BISHOP EASTBURN. 

Firmly he kept the Faith his manhood held, 
As if God's truth were all ! His loyal heart 
Would not let go. The loves that found their part 
In him, were all sincere ; and if he seemed, 
At times to love his will, his aims were grand ! 
Such as he thought we all should understand, 
When he was gone ! In every path he trod, 
We cannot doubt he loved and honored God ; 
And light shone for him from celestial spheres ! 
If e'er he wept ; in secret were his tears. 
His eyes were lustrous with divine delight, 
Until the day he parted from our sight. 



156 THE GARDEN GATE 



TO A SINGER. 

Sing thou long tried child of sorrow, 
Sing to-day, and sing to-inorrow ; 
Sing, though all earth's hopes be slain ! 
Song is born of mortal pain ! 

Song is for the heart enslaved, 
Longing, crying to be saved ! 
Song is born with souls opprest, 
Daily praying to be blest. 

Song is helper to the holy, 
Song is kind unto the lowly ; 
Voiceful from the vales of woe ! 
Hear its music come and go ! 

Judge not then thy brother's voicing, 
Though he seem a soul rejoicing ; 
With the pure, the true, and strong, 
Grief is ever blent with song ! 



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